Featured Stories
65-Year Congressional study shows tax cuts do not lead to economic growth
September 20, 2012
by Pamela Powers Hannley A new financial study released last week– Taxes and the Economy: An Economic Analysis of the Top Tax Rates Since 1945– looks at 65(!) years worth of US ecomonic data and confirms what we 99%ers have been saying for a long time: Trickle Down Economics doesn't work, so get over it … Read more
The Insidious Nature of Tax Preferences
September 19, 2012
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Posted by Bob Lord The Romney tax plan would exempt from income tax all investment income of those whose total income does not exceed $200,000. So, if you have a $200,000 salary and I have a $100,000 salary and $100,000 of interest income from by bond portfolio, I’ll pay a lot less in tax. That … Read more
Bruce Babbitt endorses Nancy Young Wright for Pima County Supervisor
September 19, 2012
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by David Safier Score a big name endorsement for Nancy Young Wright. Bruce Babbitt endorses Nancy Young Wright for Pima County Supervisor Tucson, AZ: Former Arizona Governor and Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt has endorsed Nancy Young Wright for Pima County Supervisor in District One. Mr. Babbitt served as U.S. Secretary of the Interior … Read more
How Do The Farnsworths Feel About Mitt’s Disdain For Them?
September 19, 2012
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Posted by Bob Lord So, Mitt has doubled down on his disdain for the so-called forty-seven percenters –those Americans from households that don't pay income tax. I wonder if Mitt knows how Peter and Molly Farnsworth, members of that group, feel about his disdain for them. Here's Peter and Molly's situation: Peter and Molly earn … Read more
Robin Hood Tax: PDA Tucson urges Barber to find his progressive side
September 19, 2012
by Pamela Powers Hannley
Each month, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) members across the country visit their Congressional representatives and urge them to back progressive legislation. PDA Tucson visited Congressman Ron Barber's office today– the third time since he was elected.
One of the most important steps that Barber could take to help Arizona's economy and the country's would be to co-sponsor the so-called "Robin Hood Tax", which has now been introduced into the Congress as the Inclusive Prosperity Act (HR 6411) by Congressman Keith Ellison, co-chair of the Progressive Caucus (pictured above with Karen Higgins, vice president of National Nurses United). The Robin Hood Tax is a financial transaction tax on Wall Street.
From National Nurses United:
New York – The U.S. Robin Hood Tax Campaign today applauded the introduction in Congress of a bill that would impose a tax on Wall Street speculation. Introduced by Rep. Keith Ellison, HR 6411, the Inclusive Prosperity Act, would raise up to $350 billion in annual revenues that would be used to breathe new life into Main Street communities across America, as well as international health, sustainable prosperity and environmental programs.
The legislation embodies the Robin Hood Tax, a 0.5% tax on the trading of stocks, 50 cents on every $100 of trades, and lesser rates on trading in bonds, derivatives and currencies. It marks the return of a sales tax on financial transactions in place from 1914 to 1966 and targets the high-risk, high-speed trading that dominates the markets.
The letter PDA Tucson delivered to Barber today is after the jump. If you think Barber should co-sponsor the Robin Hood Tax, contact him by following this link.
Romney does not know the meaning of ‘redistribution’
September 19, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." – Inigo Montoya, in The Princess Bride (1987) So Willard "Mittens" Romney is going to try to distract voters from his characterization of half of them as lazy moochers who are dependent on government entitlement programs … Read more
The death of Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever presents a rare election issue
September 19, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
By now you are all aware that Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever was killed in a single vehicle accident while on a hunting trip in Coconino County near Williams. Dever's mother passed away on Friday. Her funeral is scheduled for this weekend. Cochise County Sheriff Dever dies in car crash.
First of all, my condolences to Mrs. Dever and the Dever family, and to the Cochise County Sheriff's deputies and support staff for your loss.
The death of Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever presents a rare election issue. Dever was running unopposed for reelection, now there are no candidates for County Sheriff. What happens now?
First, the Cochise County Board of Supervisors will appoint someone who is also a Republican to fill the remainder of Sheriff Dever's current term. A.R.S. §16-230(A)(2), in relevant part:
2. If a county office becomes vacant, the board of supervisors shall appoint a person of the same political party as the person vacating the office to fill the portion of the term until the next regular general election.
Because Sheriff Dever's death occurred between the primary election and the general election, A.R.S. §16-343 applies. Typically the vacancy would be filled by the party county committee nominating a candidate of the party's choice and filing a nomination paper and affidavit complying with the requirements of section 16-311 to fill such vacancy. A.R.S. §16-343(A)(3).
The problem, however, is that the ballots have already gone to the printer this week, according to sources with whom I spoke this morning. A.R.S. §16-343(B) provides that the party county committee nomination paper and affidavit are "to be filed at any time before the official ballots are printed." It's too late.
The Fast and Furious report
September 19, 2012
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by David Safier The Star's Tim Steller is definitely the man in Tucson when it comes to the ins and outs of the Operation Fast and Furious investigation, and he'll no doubt write about the just-released report from the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General in depth. Meanwhile, Media Matters, which has spent … Read more
